Review: 25 Burgers, Fairfield, New Jersey

by Cate on November 28, 2012

Smushed in between a little bit of Black Friday shopping with my own two little power shoppers, we also had plans to meet friends for lunch … and burgers. For Black Friday is about more than just doorbusters.

And the turkey and pumpkin pie coma had just started wearing off.

There is a 25 Burgers place down the shore that my Mom has raved about, namely their New Orleans Burger, complete with fancy cheese, fried shrimp, and remoulade. So when I drove down Route 46 a few months back and spied this place, I assumed it was another location of theirs.

Same name. Same logo. Same place, right?

Not so much.

Color me surprised that they can have the same name and logos and not be connected. If they *are* connected, it’s not readily apparent, as neither web site mentions each other’s location.

Easy to find in the Willowbrook Mall area, the newly opened Fairfield location of 25 Burgers is a stand-alone restaurant with its own dedicated parking lot. The inside is very 1950s with a retro vibe, which is fun, except for a few oddly added pictures of Beyonce, Jennifer Aniston, Megan Fox, and other randomness.

If you checked out their web site before deciding to visit, you probably wouldn’t be tempted. They seriously need a redo on their burger pictures, and I would be happy to offer my services. You know, in exchange for a gift card or three. People eat with their eyes first, and the pictures are not mouthwatering at all. Which is a shame, because the burgers were multi levels of awesome.

Twenty-five varieties to choose from, natch, it was hard to zero in on a choice. When all else fails, I tend to choose a bleu cheese burger, so I stuck with a personal favorite. The kids went with the restaurant’s kids meals (cheeseburger and hot dog), with an Oreo milkshake to wash it all down with.

Which happens to be Nick’s go-to when he gets the ok.

And sometimes he does.

Hello extra calcium.

The burger? Delish. It had those tasty char-broiled edges that I love, and the center was nice and tender, juicy, but not greasy at all. Score. There were big pieces of bleu cheese, a few slices of tomato, lettuce*, and a soft, pillowy bun.

*The lettuce was shredded. Something you would usually see on a sub/hero sandwich, not so much on a burger. It didn’t bother me, in fact, I almost preferred it; but our dining partners were not fans.

Nick ordered cheese fries, one of his favorite things like ever, and I stole a few. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and smothered with cheese. Well-seasoned on their own. I didn’t even add salt, and those that know my salt addiction know that that’s a big deal. Perfection.